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Concept
Glossary of environmental science
Summary
This is a glossary of environmental science.
Environmental science is the study of interactions among physical, chemical, and biological components of the environment. Environmental science provides an integrated, quantitative, and interdisciplinary approach to the study of environmental systems.
Environmental science
1-in-100 flood – a flood with 1 in 100 chance of occurring in any given year (used as a safety requirement for the construction industry.)
20/30/10 standard - 20 mg/L Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), 30 mg/L Suspended Solids (SS), 10 units of E. coli: the water quality standard for greywater use in toilets, laundry and surface irrigation.
5Rs - (sustainability) reduce, remanufacture, reuse, recycle, recover.
abiotic component - Any non-living chemical or physical part of the environment that affects living and the functioning of , such as the atmosphere and water resources. (see also biotic).
absorption pit (soakaway) – a hole dug in permeable ground and filled with broken stones or granular material and usually covered with earth allowing collected water to soak into the ground.
absorption - one substance taking in another, either physically or chemically.
acclimation - the process of an organism adjusting to chronic change in its environment.
acid mine drainage - the outflow of acidic water from metal mines or coal mines.
acid rain - rain or other forms of precipitation that is unusually acidic.
adaptation - a characteristic of an organism that has been favoured by natural selection.
adaptive radiation - closely related species that look very different, as a result of having adapted to widely different ecological niches.
adsorption - one substance taking up another at its surface.
aerobic - requiring air or oxygen; used in reference to decomposition processes that occur in the presence of oxygen.
aerosols - solid or liquid particles suspended within the atmosphere.
affluenza - as defined in the book of the same name 1. the bloated, sluggish and unfulfilled feeling that results from efforts to keep up with the Joneses.
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